Botanicals

Outsourcing, bone & joint health, LATAM, functional foods: lessons from 2014's special editions part 2

23-Dec-2014 By Hank Schultz

From polyphenols and prebiotics to a focus on Latin America, healthy aging and functional foods, NutraIngredients-USA’s special editions have set traffic records because of their in-depth coverage and exclusive content.  Today we feature part two of our...

Polyphenols, probiotics, delivery systems and sports nutrition: key lessons from 2014's special editions

22-Dec-2014 By Hank Schultz

From polyphenols and prebiotics to a focus on Latin America, healthy aging and functional foods, NutraIngredients-USA’s special editions have set traffic records because of their in-depth coverage and exclusive content.  Today we feature part one of our...

Wild blueberries may counter obesity, inflammation and hypertension: Mice study

19-Dec-2014 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

Wild blueberries may help alleviate low level inflammation and hypertension associated with the development of obesity, according to a study on mice.

Green tea, mitochondria, omega-3 & curcumin: The top 10 science of 2014

17-Dec-2014

From breakthrough studies to controversial hypotheses, it has been a fascinating year for science for dietary supplements. In this special gallery we review the top science headlines from 2014.

Pine bark extract may reduce symptoms & severity of common cold

12-Dec-2014 By Stephen DANIELLS

Daily consumption of supplements containing extracts from French maritime pine bark may shorten the duration of the common cold and reduces the severity of sore throat, congestion, headache, coughing and sneezing, says a new study from Italy.

Potato extract may reduce weight gain by over 60%: Mice study

10-Dec-2014 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

Polyphenol-rich Irish potato extract may help reduce weight gain, according to research in mice.

Nutraceutical International reports soft sales growth for 2014

25-Nov-2014 By Hank Schultz

Nutraceutical International Corporation, a Park City, UT-based dietary supplement manufacturer, reported yearly sales results that reflected the ongoing softness in the sector. The company reported sales growth in its fourth quarter and its fiscal year...

Sales of loose and bagged tea up 5.9% in 2013, hitting $1.8 billion, ABC report finds

24-Nov-2014 By Hank Schultz

Sales of herbal and other teas increased by 5.9% in the United States in 2013, capping off a decade of solid growth, according to a market report by the American Botanical Council.  It was ABC’s first such report on the tea sector.

Long term relationships best way to deal with volatility of botanical supply, experts say

24-Nov-2014 By Hank Schultz

Managing botanical supply chains in the face of volatility in demand and pricing is a matter of managing relationships and gathering the appropriate information. Business as usual, in other words.

Not just for flavour: Herbs and spices backed for heart health

24-Nov-2014 By Nathan Gray

Antioxidant-rich spices and herbs could help to improve triglyceride concentrations and other blood lipids, according to new research.

Team approach called for in designing cogent product research strategy

20-Nov-2014 By Hank Schultz

In designing a clinical trial strategy its important to keep end points in mind—and it’s not just avoiding disease endpoints we’re talking here. It’s vital to end up with information that can aid in the marketing of the product, experts say.

Special edition: functional foods

Pill fatigue is driving innovation in space between functional foods and supplements, experts say

20-Nov-2014 By Hank Schultz

Is pill fatigue just a marketing ploy? No, say many experts in the field.  It’s a real phenomenon and it’s driving both dosage form innovation and the movement of bioactives into functional foods.

Huge influx of Chinese capital coupled with threat of violence seriously destabilizes maca trade in Peru, expert says

13-Nov-2014 By Hank Schultz

Soaring demand from China and an extremely steep rise in prices has distorted the market for the Peruvian botanical maca to the point where non Chinese buyers have been all but priced out of the trade. The influx of cash has brought violence, too, with...

AHPA launches import detention database in effort to see long term trends

12-Nov-2014 By Hank Schultz

The American Herbal Products Association has a launched a database that will track import interruptions. The database, which will be assembled via submissions from member companies and others, will help track long term trends, said Michael McGuffin, AHPA...

Nano-emulsion delivery boosts curcumin’s anti-inflammatory promise

07-Nov-2014 By Nathan GRAY

The use of nano-emulsion delivery systems could increase the bioavailability and anti-inflammatory effects of curcumin, say researchers.

Sports nutrition formulation combines plant protein with anti inflammatory power of Cat's Claw

06-Nov-2014 By Hank Schultz

Hempeatein Pro, a finished sports nutrition formula formally launched in the US market at the recent SupplySide West trade show, is a new entrant in the vegetarian protein space.  But it’s a protein with a difference;  with the addition of a proprietary...

Vegetable peptones may delay skin aging from within: Study

06-Nov-2014 By Stephen DANIELLS

Extracts from vegetables may boost skin health by promoting the production of type 1 collagen and proliferation of skin cells responsible for skin recovery, says a new study from Korea.

Herbalife's share price plunges after company misses Wall Street earnings expectations

05-Nov-2014 By Hank Schultz

Network marketing giant Herbal reported sales growth but missed analysts’ expectations for earnings in its third quarter of 2014.  Part of the earnings miss was caused by the steep devaluation of Nicaragua’s currency and so was characterized by management...

Brain health drinks gaining global traction: Canadean

05-Nov-2014

Drinks boating polyphenols and other ingredients that boost brain health are winning over more adult consumers, according to market analyst, Canadean.

Internet helps noncompliant retailers ply their trade but also helps FDA find them, expert says

05-Nov-2014 By Hank Schultz

The growth of online retailing has bee decried by some in the dietary supplements business for allowing the rapid appearance of fly-by-night marketers.  But the Internet has a flip side, acting as a powerful and low-cost enforcement tool that the Food...

Rising tide of blood pressure bodes well for hibiscus supplement, manufacturer says

04-Nov-2014 By Hank Schultz

Hypertension is a problem afflicting an increasing proportion of the US population, and as the country ages, it bodes well for Janzee Inc. which has seen accelearting demand for its hibiscus supplement that claims to support healthy blood pressure levels.

Science short

Resveratrol’s inflammatory potential boosts bone health in obese men: Study

03-Nov-2014 By Shane STARLING

Resveratrol boosts bone health by stimulating mineralisation and bone formation, a study among 74 middle-aged, obese men has found.

Pterostilbene intake may cut body fat and reduce obesity: Animal data

03-Nov-2014 By Nathan Gray

Intake of the phenolic compound pterostilbene could help to battle obesity by slashing body fat, according to new research in rats.

Theo Innovations debuts flavanol-rich cocoa extract

31-Oct-2014 By Hank Schultz

Seattle-based Theo Chocolate has launched the first functional ingredient from its subsidiary Theo Innovations.  Called Violetamine, the product is an extract of cocoa high in polyphenols and theobromine.

Bran more effective than whole grain in alleviating obesity symptoms: Study

31-Oct-2014 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

Supplementation with finger millet bran may help alleviate symptoms of obesity like oxidative stress, inflammation and gut microbial imbalances, according to mice research published in the British Journal of Nutrition.

Denmark widens warning on weight loss herbal linked to brain haemorrhage

30-Oct-2014 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

The Danish food safety authority has issued a second warning on the illegal herbal weight loss ingredient Acacia rigidula – which contains substances implicated in a brain haemorrhage case in Sweden.

Grapefruit juice may block weight gain from high-fat diet: Mouse data

27-Oct-2014 By Nathan Gray

Consumption of grapefruit juice may block weight gain from a high-fat diet by improving metabolic markers, according to research in mice.

Going non GMO in supplements is worth the effort, sources say

24-Oct-2014 By Hank Schultz

The November elections draw nearer featuring numerous state ballot initiatives requiring the mandatory labeing of genetically modified ingredients.  While this is an issue with clear fault lines in the food realm, the question of non GMO positioning is...

Special edition: Healthy ageing

Learning from Japan's healthy ageing market

23-Oct-2014 By Shane STARLING

From an €80 million market for anti-ageing placenta supplements to the world’s most innovative (and fad-driven) functional foods and drinks market, Japan’s healthy ageing market is unique and instructive.

Botanical Adulterants Program 'intended to raise the bar of awareness of the problem, and I think we've done that,' Blumenthal says

22-Oct-2014 By Hank Schultz

The Botanical Adulterants Program is “raising the bar of awareness of this growing problem among industry stakeholders and is trying to bring various remedies to the table,” program director Mark Blumenthal said at the SupplySide West trade show in Las...

Study finds tainted supplements still for sale months after FDA recalls

21-Oct-2014 By Hank Schultz

A small number of products marketed as dietary supplements previously recalled by FDA can still be found for sale with the same adulterants (or is some cases new adulterants), says a study published Tuesday in the Journal of the American Medical Association. The...

Special edition: Healthy aging

Dietary supplements researchers excited by promise of new human cell culture model for Alzheimer's

17-Oct-2014 By Hank Schultz

The announcement that researchers have developed a way to construct a three dimensional in vitro model of human brain cells that exhibit features of Alzheimer’s disease could be a game changer for the research of cognitive health dietary supplements,...

KSM-66 Ashwagandha gets Non-GMO Project verification

16-Oct-2014

Ixoreal Biomed has achieved Non-GMO Project verification for its KSM-66 ashwagandha-branded ingredient.

‘No better place than the nutra-science marketplace for financial investors’: BI Chief

16-Oct-2014 By Stephen Daniells

Nutraceuticals and dietary supplements are attracting a lot of private equity attention, and it’s not surprising, says George Pontiakos, given that ‘it’s a growing market that historically provides efficacy and value to consumers’.

Curcumin may boost cognition and mood in a healthy older population: RCT

16-Oct-2014 By Stephen Daniells

Supplements of Longvida curcumin may boost working memory and mood in healthy older adults, say results from a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study from Australia.

Fine print of GMP compliance still a mystery to many small manufacturers, expert says

14-Oct-2014 By Hank Schultz

The smallest tier of dietary supplement manufacturers still, as a class, lack comprehensive understanding of GMP requirements, according a digital solutions provider.

Montmorency tart cherry shows gout potential: Study

09-Oct-2014 By Lynda Searby

Evidence that Montmorency tart cherry could be useful in managing gouty arthritis and other inflammatory conditions is mounting, as a new study shows that tart cherry concentrate lowers uric acid and C-reactive protein – a marker for inflammation.

Study finds DMAA-like 'designer stimulant' in 12 of 14 pre workout supplements tested

08-Oct-2014 By Hank Schultz

A recent study has found 1,3-dimethylbutylamine (DMBA), a synthetic stimulant similar to DMAA, in 12 of 14 dietary supplements tested.  According to Dr Pieter Cohen, one of the study’s authors, no information exists on the safety and acceptable dosages...

Kemin launches polyphenol-rich spearmint extract for cognitive health

08-Oct-2014 By Stephen DANIELLS

Kemin is launching a proprietary phenolic complex sourced from patent-pending, non-GMO lines of its own purpose-grown spearmint for use in dietary supplements.

Naturex to unveil maca product for 'natural libido enhancement'

06-Oct-2014

French botanical extract giant Naturex is launching a new maca product for natural sexual performance solutions.

Beetroot shows heart health benefits for overweight older people: Study

03-Oct-2014 By Stephen Daniells

Daily consumption of beetroot juice may significantly reduce systolic blood pressure in overweight older people, says a new study from England.

Nutegrity debuts epicatechin-rich cocoa extract

01-Oct-2014 By Hank Schultz

Nutegrity, the human nutrition division of Omega Protein, has added CocoaNol, an organic cocoa extract, to its ingredient lineup and will be highlighting the ingredient at the upcoming SupplySide West trade show in Las Vegas, NV, the company announced...

Months after issuing import ban, FDA still working to get kratom off market

01-Oct-2014 By Hank Schultz

Kratom continues to be imported into the US in large quantities and marketed as a dietary supplement. And some supplies of this botanical may be laced with dangerous undeclared pharmaceutical ingredients, according to one investigator.

Yerba maté shows exercise benefits, potential for sports nutrition

01-Oct-2014 By Stephen DANIELLS

Consuming the traditional South American drink yerba maté before exercise may enhance fat metabolism without affecting maximal performance, says a new study.

DSM backs natural zeaxanthin with exclusive deal

01-Oct-2014 By Shane STARLING

DSM, previously focused on synthetic zeaxanthin, has launched a natural version sourced from longtime carotenoid partner Kemin.

Demand rising rapidly for beetroot as ingredient's sports nutrition benefits are proven and popularized

30-Sep-2014 By Hank Schultz

The benefits of beetroot juice for sports nutrition got a big public relations boost recently with the news the Auburn University football team drinks the juice before its games.  As reported in the Wall Street Journal, the team began using the ingredient...

ABC article says climate change is impacting quality of Chinese tea; whether botanicals in other regions are affected is less clear

29-Sep-2014 By Hank Schultz

Global climate change is affecting the quality of tea harvested in southwestern China, both in terms of taste and content of bioactive chemicals, according to a recent article in Herbalgram, the publication of the American Botanical Council.  Whether...

Curcumin shows heart health benefits by ‘multiple mechanisms’

26-Sep-2014 By Stephen DANIELLS

Daily supplements of curcumin, the yellow pigment that gives turmeric its color, may improve heart health in lab rabbits fed a diet high in cholesterol, says a new study.

Special edition: Inside Europe's food supplement markets

Polish polyphenol study identifies coffee, tea and chocolate as top contributors

24-Sep-2014 By Nathan Gray

A population-level analysis of polyphenol intakes in Poland has revealed that coffee, tea and chocolate contribute around 75% of the polyphenols consumed in the country.

American Ginseng Advisory Panel formed to preserve the genetic diversity of wild botanical

19-Sep-2014 By Stephen DANIELLS

The American Herbal Products Association (AHPA) Foundation for Education and Research on Botanicals has formed the American Ginseng Advisory Panel, with the development of a national American ginseng germplasm collection a key goal.